Expansible belt



L- H. EASLICK EXPANSIBLE BELT 3 Sheets-Sh'e l Filed April l, 1948 a f.. i m n m m zz 37 @alg/y' WE M L BY w1/#7K -ffomey Feb. 24, 1953 L.. H. EAsucK 2,629,104

EXPANSIBLE BELT 'Filed April 1, 194s 5 sheets-sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

Feb. 24, 1953 L. H. EAsLlcx; 2,629,104

EXPANSIBLE BELT Filed April 1, 194s s sheets-sheet s IN VEN TOR.

Patented Feb. 24, 1953 EXPANSIBLE BELT Lloyd H. Easlick, Flourtown, Pa., assignor to Pio-A neer Suspender Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 1, 1948, Serial No.. 18,398

(Cl. 21-322l 13 Claims.

The present invention relates to trouser belts and similar fastening and supporting members for clothing and it relates more particularly to trouser belt constructions wherein the buckle is made resiliently movable relative to the belt to provide greater comfort for the wearer.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved construction for trouser belts and like fastening and supporting members for clothing. Another object of the present invention is to provide a neat, comfortable, inex pensive, dependable and long-lasting construction for a trouser belt or the like wherein the buckle or similar fastening element is made resiliently movable relative to the belt.

@ther objects and advantages of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description, appended claims and accompanying drawings.

It has heretofore been proposed to provide a trouser belt construction wherein the buckle is made resiliently movable relative to the belt so that there is a slight give or expansibility to the belt, when worn, thereby providing a greater degree or comfort than is possible with nonresilient belt constructions.

However, none of these prior resilient-buckle belts has proven entirely satisfactory since they are relatively expensive to manufacture and since they provide relatively bulky and clumsy constructions and since they tend to fail upon prolonged use clue to inherent shortcomings in the structure.

According to the present invention, there has been developed a trouser belt having a resiliently movable buckle construction which eliminates the shortcomings of the prior-art and which permits an inexpensive construction, much less bulky and neater in appearance, and which is much more dependable and longer-lasting and less prone to fail.

Generally speaking, the present invention comprehends a construction for trouser belts or the like wherein the buckle is pivctally carried by a connector having an elongated thin ilat shank passing through a slot formed in a folded or looped end of the belt (which is of flexible material such as leather, synthetic plastic or fabric), the inner end of the shank being connected to a spring tensioning it inwardly; a stop-meinber or" metal or the like being immovably secured within the fold or loop of the belt adjacent the slot to limit the outward movement of the connector member and buckle by providing an abutment for a raised or thickened portion iormed adjacent the inner end of the shank,

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the accompanying drawings forms thereof which are at present preferred, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and organizations of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout:

Figure 1 represents a fragmentary perspective view, on an enlarged scale, showing one embodiment of the present invention with the buckle in partially-extended position; parts being broken away better to reveal the construction thereof.

Figure 2 represents an elevational view showing the inner or under side of the embodiment of Figure 1 but with the buckle shown in fullyretracted position; parts being broken away better to reveal the construction thereof.

Figure 3 represents a cross-sectional view generally along the line 3-3 of Figure 1 but with the buckle shown in fully-extended position.

Figure 4 represents a cross-sectional view generally along the line 1 -4 of Figure l.

Figure 5 represents a cross-sectional view generally along the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 represents a cross-sectional view generally along the line 6 6 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 represents a cross-.sectional view generally like that of Figure 5 but showing a modiiied form of stop-shoulder construction.

Figure 8 represents a front elevational View of another embodiment of the present invention; parts being broken away better to reveal the construction thereof.

Figure 9 represents a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, showing the stop-member and connectorfshank of the embodiment of Figure 8.

vFigure 10 represents a front elevational view generally like that of Figure 3 but showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 represents a perspective view like that of Figure 9 but showing the embodiment of Figure 10.

Figure 12 represents a cross-sectional view generally along the line IZ-IZ of Figure 10.

y Figure 13 represents a cross-sectional view generally along the line iS--IS ofFigure l0,

Figure 14 represents an elevational View like those oi Figures 8 and 10 but showing still a further embodiment of the presentinvention.

Figure 15 represents a perspective view like those of Flgures 9 and 11 but showing the ernbodiment of Figure 14.

Figure 16 represents a cross-sectional view generally along the line |6|6 of Figure 14.

Figure 1'7 represents a fragmentary elevational view, generally like that of Figure 8, but showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 18 represents a fragmentary perspective view on an enlarged scale, of the embodiment of Fig. 17, showing the relationship of the slot, stop-member and connector shank; parts being broken away better to reveal the construction thereof.

In one embodiment of the present invention shown generally in Figures 1 6, I may provide a trouser belt including an elongated strap or belt I9 of leather or fabric or synthetic plastic or other flexible material, one end of which is folded back upon itself to provide a loop or pocket or compartment 2) having a front panel 2| and a rear panel 22 which are sewn together at their upper and lower edges by rows of stitching 23 and 24; a transverse row of stitching 25 closing the end of the loop generally adjacent the free edge of the rear panel 22.

A buckle 26 of generally conventional construction, including a tongue 21 rotatably mounted upon the rear bar or bridge 28 and adapted to bear, with its free end, against the front bar 29 of the buckle 26, is constructed and arranged to be mounted exteriorly of the loop 2U in a manner to be more fully described hereinbelow.

The buckle 2B is rotatably held by one end of a connector member 30 which includes la pair of laterally-spaced curved sleeves 3| constructed and arranged to embrace the rear bar or vbridge 28 (on either side of the tongue 21) so as to permit the buckle to pivot relative to the connector member 3D.

The connector member, which is preferably integrally formed of metal or the like, also includes a thin flat elongated shank 32 which extends in continuation of the sleeves 3| and passes through a thin transverse slot or opening 33 formed in the central portion of the fold-line 34 of the loop with its inner free end 35 terminating inside the loop 20 which, as indicated particularly in Figure 5, is bulged slightly intermediate the stitching 23 and 24 to provide an inner compartment to receive the shank 32.

The shank 32 (which, as indicated particularly in Figure 6, has a transverse dimension somewhat less than that of the slot 33, so that it can be inserted into the loop through said slot) may be provided with a longitudinally-extending strengthening rib 36 pressed outward therefrom to provide greater rigidity and resistance to bending or twisting.

The inner end 35 of the shank 32 is provided with a pair of integrally-formed rearwardly and centrally bent stop shoulders 31 which serve to increase the thickness or front-to-rear dimension of the end 35 without enlarging its transverse dimension, as indicated particularly in Figures 1, 2 and 5.

Instead, the shoulders may be formed as at ST-a, as shown in Figure 7, in which case they are simply rearwardly extending projections (without being also bent centrally).

The inner end 35 is also provided with an integrally-formed central loop 35-a to which one end of a helical spring '39 is connected. The other end of the helical spring 33 is connected to a tongue 40 of an attachment plate 4| of metal orthe like which is fastened to the rear panel 22 adjacent the innermost end of the loop 23 by a pair of rivets 42.

The connector member 30, the spring 39 and the attachment plate 4| are so dimensioned and positioned that the spring normally retains the connector and buckle in the retracted innermost position shown in Figure 2 (wherein the sleeves 3| are closely adjacent the fold-line 34) It is apparent that, when pull is applied to the buckle 2B, it will move away from the fold-line 34 of the loop 28 carrying the connector member 3|) to the partially-pulled out position shown in Figure l, against the retaining action of the spring 39. It is apparent, also, that when the pull on the buckle is terminated, the spring 39 will operate to retract the connector member 3|] and to return the buckle to its original position, as shown in Figure 2.

In order to limit the outward movement of the connector member and buckle, a relatively strong and rigid stop-member 43 is mounted within the loop 20 adjacent the fold-line 34 in a manner to be more fully described hereinbelow.

rIhe stop-member 43, which is preferably integrally formed of metal or the like, preferably takes the form of a thin, nat plate extending transversely of the loop 20 and passing to the rear of the shank 32. The inner edge |43 of the stop-member 43 forms an abutment portion as will be described hereinbelow. A pair of rivets 44 fasten the stop-member 43 to the rear panel 22 of the loop 20 so that the stop-member is retained in position closely adjacent the fold-line 34, as shown particularly in Figure 3. As indicated particularly in Figures l, 4 and 6, the stopmember 43 extends transversely substantially beyond the slot 33 and terminates just short of the upper and lower' edges of the loop 20; the stitching 23 and 24 preferably terminating somewhat short of the fold-line 34 to accommodate the ends of the stop-member as shown especially in Figure 1.

A pair of ears 45 are struck out integrally from the stop-member 43 and are bent frontwardly and centrally so as to overlie and embrace the transverse edges of the shank 32; the ears 45 permitting in-and-out movement of the shank while holding it against lateral or front-to-rear disllaceinent relative -to the fold-line 34 and the slot As indicated particularly in Figure 4, the ears 4'5 maintain the rear or underside of the shank 32 in juxtaposition to the main portion of the stop-member 43.

As can be seen particularly in Figures 3 and 5, the rearwardly directed shoulders 37 formed on the inner end 35 of the shank .'32 lie in generally the same plane as the stop-member 43 so that they cannot pass beyond the inner edge or abut- -ment portion |43 of the stop-member.

the present invention is worn with the other end 43 of the strap |9 positioned through the buckle 26 (with the buckle-tongue 2l' inserted into one of thel holes 41 formed adjacent the end 46) and inserted within the retaining-loop 48 set into the loop 20 near the inner end thereof, there will be a tendency for the buckle 26 to be pulled out to some extent due to the fact that a trouser belt is usually'worn somewhat tightened. It is a simple matter to adjust the point at which it will give under the proper pulling force affording the` greatest comfort to the wearer. In other words, the spring should not be too strong since this would require the belt to be tightened excessively before the spring-action came into effect and, accordingly, would render the belt uncomfortable.

On the other hand, the spring should not be too weak since this would cause the buckle and connector to be pulled all the way out to the fully extended position shown in Figure 3 before the belt is tightened sufficiently to permit it to function properly, so that the resilience would be lost.

Thus, when the belt is worn normally, the buckle and connector are in the partially extended position shown in Figure l, wherein the spring provides a resilient connection which "giveS with the movements of the wearer to pro vide maximum comfort.

In assembling the novel trouser belt construction of the present invention, the buckle 2S, the connector member 39, the spring 3Q and attachment plate 4| are first pre-assebled as a more or less integral unit.

The slot 33 may then be formed transversely along the strap i9 along a line which will sub-1 sequently become the fold-line 35i. The preassembled buckle-connector-spring-attachment plate unitr may then be inserted through the slot 33 and the rivets 42 affixed.

The stop-member t3, with its ears ed in pro jecting unbent position may then be placed intermediate the shank 32 and the rear panel 22, adjacent the fold-line 3d and the rivets M affixed to lock the stop-member in position.

Thereafter the ears i5 are bent into the nal position shown in Figures l and 4 (wherein they overlap the shank 32) and, as the nnal assembly step, the rear panel 22 (to which the attachment plate 4i and the stop-member d3 have been attached by the rivets i2 and lill) is brought into juxtaposition with the front panel (thereby encasing the attachment plate di, spring 39 and shank 32 as well as one-hali` the retaining loop 48 which has theretofore been positionel so as to encompass the spring 39 and the front panel 2!) and the stitching 23, E4 and 25 applied to complete the formation of the closed loop 28. The foregoing method of assembly is purely by way of illustration, it being understood that the manner of assembly can be varied considerably without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Various modifications of the embodiment of Figures 1-6 are readily apparent.

Thus, the shoulders 3l (or .ill-o) could be bent forwardly instead of rearwardly so that they make contact with the ears d5.

Similarly the stopmember t3 could be turned around so that they ears 45 are disposed on the rearward side of the shank 32.

The stop-member cl3 could be riveted or otherwise fastened to the front panel 2i (instead of the rear panel) or to both the front and rear panels (in which latter case the rivets i4 would pass through both of the panels of the loop 2! as well as through appropriate openings in the stopemember) It is also obvious that other kinds of buckles could replace the tongue type buckle t6. Thus, for example, the conventional friction type buckle (wherein the free end of the strap is frictionallyl held within the buckle by a corrugated cam-bar or the like) could be employed. Similarly, a hook-and-eye or other quick attachable and de taehable connection could be employed.

While particularly well adapted for mens trouser belts, the novel resilient buclrleonstrucn tion of the present invention can be used equally well for garters, arm-bands, wristwatch-straps, Womens belts, etc.

In Figures 8 and 9 there is shown another embodiment of the present invention which generally resembles the embodiment of Figure l except in the construction of its stop-member t9.

The stop member 49 is integrally formed from a strip of sheet-metal or the like, and includes a transversely extending fastening element or bar 5t constructed and arranged to be fastened within the loop 2Q adjacent the fold-line Sii thereof by rivets 42 extending through the rear panel 22 (in the saine manner described hereinabove in connection with the embodiment of Figure l) and also includes an inwardly-disposed collarportion 5i having bent over ears 52 constructed and arranged to fit over the side edges of the shank 32 so as to hold the connector member 3Q against transverse displacement and front-torear displacement while permitting it to slide inand-out relative to the loop 2li.

As can be seen particularly in Figure 9, the shoulders 3T formed on the inner end 35 of the shank 32 strike the continuous under side or abutment portion I5! of the collar-portion 5i so as to limit the outward movement of the connector member.

While, in Figures 8 and 9, the fastening bar 58 is shown as disposed on the rear or under side of the shank 32 with the ears 52 extending on the outer or upper side of the shank, it is obvious that this could be reversed and that the fastening bar 5U could be disposed on the front side of the shank with the ears 52 extending on the rear side thereof. In such case, the shoulders 3l on the inner end 35 of the shank 32 may be bent so that they lie on the outer side rather than the inner side so as again to contact the continuous side of the collar portion 5I (which has somewhat greater strength than the ears 52).

In Figures 10-13 there is shown still another embodiment of the present invention which generally resembles the embodiment of Figure 1 except that, in place of the rivets 32, the stopmember S3-a is provided with integrally-formed teeth or prongs 53 struck out adjacent the ends of the stop-member and protruding generally rear wardly and into the leather of the rear panel 2:2 so as to anchor the stop-member lid-a to the panel 22.

The fastening provided by theteeth 53 is supplemented by the stitching 23 and 2li which terminate closely adjacent the inner edge of the stop-member i3-c and which thereby not only offer additional resistance to inward displacement of the stop-member but also assist in retaining the stop-member closely adjacent the rear panel 22 so as to prevent the teeth or prongs 53 from pulling out of the leather of the panel 22.

Indeed, the teeth 53 (as well as the rivets of the vother embodiments herein discussed) can be omitted entirely and the stitching 2t 2t can be relied on to maintain the stop-member in position adjacent the fold-line of the loop 2Q.

The inner edge or abutment portion it-a of the stop-member :i3-a serves to limit the outward movement of the stop-shoulders 3l in the manner described above in connection with the embodiment of Figure 1.

In Figures 14-16 there is shown still a further embodiment of the present invention wherein the stop-member 54 takes the form of a flattened loop of metal or the like disposed in a generally transverse plane and encircling the shank 32 with rel atively slight front-to-rear clearance so that the stop-shoulders 31 of the shank 32 strike the inner edge or abutment portion |54 of the stop-member to limit outward movement of the connector member 30.

In this embodiment, a pair of rivets 44-a pass through both the front panel 2i and the rear panel 22 directly inward of the inner edge of the stop-member thereby to retain it against displacement from adjacent the fold-line 34.

As in the embodiment of Figure described above, the lines of stitching 23 and 24 run up to the stop-member 54 and serve as additional retaining means.

It is apparent, of course, that rivets like those of Figure 1 could be employed to connect the stop-member 54 to only the rear panel 22. It is also apparent that rivets 44-a passing through both the front and rear panels of the loop 2U could be employed with the embodiments discussed hereinabove (in place of the rivets 44 or the teeth 53).

In Figures 17 and 18 there is shown still a further embodiment of the present invention which generally resembles that of Figure 1 except that the stop-member 43-b (instead of being riveted to the rear panel 22) is provided with a rearwardly bent locking-nose 55 formed at the center of its outer edge. The locking-nose 55 is adapted to be inserted within the slot 33 in the fold-line 34 so that its real-most tip protrudes outwardly and rearwardly beyond the edge of said slot thereby to prevent inward movement of the stop-member 43-17.

The installation of the embodiment of Figures 17 and 18 is somewhat simplified since riveting of the stop-member to the rear panel is eliminated and, instead, the locking of the stop-member in position is accomplished simply by manually pulling the buckle outward to its limit whereupon the stop-shoulders 31 contact the inner edge or abutment portion [4S-b and force the stoprnember outwardly until the locking-nose 55 clears the slot 33 and locks in position, as described above. Thereafter, release of the buckle will return the connector member to its retracted position but will not disturb the locked outermos position of the stop-member.

The novel construction of the present invention affords several important advantages over constructions heretofore employed.

Thus, in order to permit assembly of the connector member relative to the belt-loop, it is necessary to make the slot suiciently large to permit the inner end of the connector shank to be inserted therethrough during assembly.

It has been found that even with the retaining shoulders heretofore proposed on the inner end of the connector member, the flexibility of the strap has sometimes permitted the connector member to be pulled out all the way through the slot so that the end of the retaining springs protrudes. This, of course, is highly undesirable since it prevents the buckle from snapping back to the retracted position and since it is unsightly and uncomfortable. y

lBy the construction of the present invention, on the other hand, the non-flexible stop-member of metal or the like provides a positive stop beyond which the inner end of the shank of the connector member cannot be pulled.

Additionally, the use of the fabric at the foldline of the belt loop to stop the outward movement of the connector member has resulted ill relatively great strain and wear upon the belt material at the fold-line and, as a result, the belt has sometimes Worn through completely after prolonged use so as to cause it to fail.

The novel stop-member of the present DVelltion completely eliminates this abnormal wear 0n the fabric at the fold-line.

Resilient-buckle constructions have heretofore usually employed two transversely-spaced retaining springs to minimize the impact of the inner end. of the connector member upon the leather o1 other material of the belt at the fold-line.

According to the present invention, it has been found that a single retaining spring can provide the proper degree of tension, since the metal stopmember precludes the possibility of injury to the belt material at the fold-line thereof.

This, of course, permits a substantial saving in the cost of constructing the novel resilient-buckle belt of the present invention, as compared to the two-spring construction heretofore employed.

In addition, the use of a single centered spring provides a much less bulky and much neater appearance than in the case of constructions which require two side-by-side springs. That is, since the front-to-rear bulkiness of the shank and spring of the present invention is confined to the center zone of the loop 20, it is apparent that the loop can be made to taper greatly from the center toward the upper and lower edges whereas, when two side-by-side springs are employed, the center zone of bulkiness must necessarily be correspondingly larger.

The present invention may be embodied in other specic forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiments be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent:

1. A resilient and expansible garment supporter or the like comprising a flexible belt having a generally enclosed longitudinal compartment including -a pair of juxtaposed panels at one end of said belt, said compartment having a slot formed in the outer end thereof, a connector member having a thin flat shank extending through said slot and having a stop-shoulder formed at the inner end of said shank, a buckle pivotally mounted at the outer end of said connector member, a helical spring connected at one end to the inner end of said shank and secured at the other end adjacent the inner end of said compartment, said spring being constructed and `arranged. normally to retain said shank in generally retracted position within said compartment but to yield under a pull applied to said buckle, and a stop-member of metal or the like fastened within said ccmpartment generally adjacent the cuter end thereof and constructed and arranged to cooperate with said stop-shoulder so as to limit the outward movement of said shank.

2. A resilient and expansible garment supporter or the like comprising a flexible belt having a generally enclosed longitudinal compartment including a pair of juxtaposed panels at one aeeaioi end of said belt, said compartment having a slot formed in the outer end thereof, a connector member having a thin dat shank extending through said slot, an enlarged stop-shoulder formed at the inner end of said shank, a buckle pivotally mounted at the outer end of said connector member, a helical spring connected at one end to the inner end of said shank and secured at the other end adjacent the inner end of said compartment, said spring being constructed and arranged normally to retain said shank in generally retracted position within said compartment but to yield under a pull applied to said buckle, `and a stop-member of metal or the like fastened within said compartment generally ad jacent the outer end thereof and constructed and arranged to cooperate With said stop-shoulder so as to limit the outward movement or shank, said stop-member comprising a, transversely-disposed element constructed and arranged to guide said shank so as to permit only in-and-out movement thereof relative to said slot and including an abutment portion disposed in alignment with said Stop-shoulder, and a fastening element positively securing each end of said stop member to the material of said belt.

A resilient and expansible garment supporter or the like comprising a iiexible belt hav ing a generally enclosed longitudinal compartment including a pair of juxtaposed panels at one end of said belt, Said compartment having a slot formed in the outer end thereof, a connector member having a thin flat shank extending through said slot, an enlarged Stop-shoulder formed at the inner end, ci said shank, a buckle pivotally mounted at the outer end or" said connector member, -a helical spring connected at one end to the inner end of said shank and secured at the other end adjacent the inner end of said compartment, said spring being constructed and arranged normally to retain said shank in generally retracted position Within said compartment but to yield under a pull applied to said buckle, `a stop-member of metal yor the like fastened Within said compartment generally adjacent the outer end thereof and constructed and arranged to cooperate with said stop-shoulder so as te Ylimit the outward movement of said shank, said stop-member comprising va vtransversely-disposed-.element constructed 'and arranged to guide said `shank so as to permit only in-and-out movement thereof relative to said slot and including an abutment portion disposed in alignment with said stop-shoulder, and a bent locking-nose formed at the outer edge ofsaidfstop-member and constructed land arranged to protrude from vsaid slot in locking relationship `with the slot-dening edge of `one of the compartment-forming panels.

4. A resilient and expansible garment supporter or the like comprising a flexible belt having a generally enclosed longitudinal compartment including apair ofjuxtaposed panels at one end of said belt, said compartment'having a slot formed in the outer endthereof, a-connector member having a thin flat shank extending through said slot, .an enlarged stop-shoulder formed at the inner end of said shank, a buckle pivotally mounted at the outer end of said connector member, ahelical spring connected latene end to the innerend of said-shank-and secured at the other end adiacentthe innerend of said compartment, said spring being constructed and arranged normally to retain said shankin generally retracted position within said compartment but kto yield `under Lalpilll :applied to said buckle, a stopfmember of metal or the 'like fastened within said compartment generally adjacent the outer end Vthereof and constructed and arranged to cooperate with said stop-shoulder so as to limit the outward movement of said shank, said stop-member comprising a transverselydisposed element constructed and arranged to guide said shank so as to permit only in-and-out movement thereof relative to said slot and including an abutment portion disposed in alignment with said stop-shoulder, and a rivet fastening each end of said stop-member to one of the panels of said compartment.

5. A resilientl and expansible garment supporter or the like comprising a flexible belt having a generally enclosed longitudinal compartment including a pair of juxtaposed panels at one end of `said belt, said compartment having a slot formed in the outer end thereof, a connector member having a thin flat shank extending through said slot,` an enlarged stop-shoulder formed at the inner end of said shank, a buckle pivotally mounted Yat the outer end of said connector member, a helical spring connected at one end to the inner end of said shank and secured at the other end adjacent the inner end of said compartment, said spring being constructed and arranged normally toV retain said shank in generally retracted position Within said compartment vbut to yield under a pull applied to said buckle, a stop-member of metal or the like fastened Within said compartment generally adjacent thev outer end thereof and constructed and arranged to cooperate with said stop-.shoulder so as to limit the outward movement of said shank; said stop-member comprising a transversely-disposed eleinent constructed and arranged to guide said shank so as to permit only in-and-out movement thereof relative lto said slot and including an abutment portion disposed in alignment with said stop-shoulder, and at least one rivet fastened vto at least one of the panels of said compartment generally adjacent the outer end and arranged to prevent inward movement of said stop-member.

6'. A resilient and expansiblel garment supporter or the like comprising aflexible belt hav-- ing a generally enclosed longitudinal compartment including a `pair of uxtaposed panels at one end of said belt, said compartment having va slot formed inthe outer end thereof, a connector member having a thin dat shank extending through said slot, an yenlarged stop-shoulderv formed at the inner end of said shank, a buckle pivotally mounted at the outer end of said connector member,ahelical'springfconnecteol at one end to the inner end of said shank and secured at the other end adjacent the inner end of said compartment,` said spring-being constructed and' arranged normally to'retain said vshank in generall-y retracted position within said compartment but to yield under a pull applied to said buckle, a stop-member of metal or lthe like fastened within said lcon/ipartment generally adjacent the outer endthereof and constructed and arranged to cooperate with-said stop-shoulder so as to limit the outward Imovement of' said shank, said stop-member comprising-a-transversely-disposed element constructed and arranged to guide said shankso asto permit only in-and-out movement thereof yrelative to sa-id slot and including an abutment-portion disposed in alignment with said stop-shoulder, yand a plurality of locking teeth integrally struck out of said stop member. adjacent the Aends thereof and constructed endl1 arranged to engage with at least one of the panels of said compartment so as to maintain said stopmember closely adjacent the outer end thereof.

7. A resilient and expansible garment supporter or the like comprising a flexible belt having a generally enclosed 1ongitudina1 compartment including a pair of juxtaposed panels at one end of said belt, said compartment having a slot formed in the outer end thereof, a connector member having a thin fiat shank extending through said slot and having a stop-shoulder formed at the inner end of said shank, a buckle pivotally mounted at the outer end of said connector member, a helical spring connected at one end to the inner end of said shank and secured at the other end adjacent the inner end of said compartment, said spring being constructed and arranged normally to retain said shank in generally retracted position within said compartment but to yield under a pull applied to said buckle, and a stop-member of metal or the like fastened within said compartment generally adjacent the outer end thereof and constructed and arranged to cooperate with said stop-shoulder so as to limit the outward movement of said shank, said stop-member comprising a thin flat element extending across the compartment and terminating adjacent the longitudinal edges of said compartment and beyond the peripheral stitching thereof whereby said stitching prevents inward movement of said stop-member relative to said compartment.

8. A resilient and expan-sible garment supporter or the like comprising a flexible belt having a generally enclosed longitudinal compartment including a pair of juxtaposed panels at one end of said belt, said compartment having a slot formed in the outer end thereof, a connector member having a thin flat shank extending through said slot, a stop-shoulder formed at the inner end of said shank, said stop-shoulder having a larger front-to-rear dimension than the remainder of said shank, a buckle pivotally mounted at the outer end of said connector member, a helical spring connected at one end to the inner end of said shank and secured at the other end adjacent the inner end of said compartment, said spring being constructed and arranged normally to retain saidfshank in generally retracted position within said compartment but to yield under a pull applied to said buckle, a stop-member of metal or the like fastened within said compartment generally adjacent the outer end thereof and constructed and arranged to cooperate with said stop-shoulder' so as to limit the outward movement of said shank, said stop-member comprising a thin at transversely-extending element disposed generally in juxtaposition to said shank and constructed and arranged to embrace at least the peripheral edges of said shank thereby to limit said shank to in-and-out movement relative to said slot, said stop-member having an abutment portion disposed generally in alignment with the stopshoulder thereby to act as a `stop for the outward movement of said stop-shoulder, and fastening means constructed and arranged to retain said stop-member closely adjacent the outer end of said compartment.

9. A resilient and expansible garment sup.. porter or the like comprising a flexible belt having a generally enclosed longitudinal compartment including a pair of juxtaposed panels at one end of said belt, said compartment having a slot formed in the outer end thereof, a connector member having a thin flat shank extend-` ing through said slot, a stop-shoulder formed at the inner end of said shank, said stop-shoulder having a larger front-to-rear dimension than the remainder of said shank, a buckle pivotally mounted at the outer end of said connector member, a helical spring connected at one end to the inner end of said shank and secured at the other end adjacent the inner end of said compartment, said spring being constructed and arranged normally to retain said shank in generally retracted position Within said compartment but to yield under a pull applied to said buckle, a stopmember of metal or the like fastened Within said compartment generally adjacent the outer end thereof and constructed and arranged to cooperate with said stop-shoulder so as to limit the outward movement of said shank, said stopmember comprising a thin flat transverselydisposed loop encircling said shank and providing an abutment portion for the stop-shoulder and fastening means for maintaining said loop closely adjacent the outer end of said compartment.

10. A resilient and expansible garment supporter or the like comprising a flexible belt having a generally enclosed longitudinal compartment including a pair of juxtaposed panels at one end of said belt, said compartment having a slot formed in the outer end thereof, a connector member having a thin flat shank extending through said slot, a stop-shoulder formed at the inner end of said shank, said stop-shoulder having a larger front-to-rear dimension than the remainder of said shank, a buckle pivotally mounted at the outer end of said connector member, a helical spring connected at one end to the inner end of said shank and secured at the other end adjacent the inner end of said compartment, said spring being constructed and arranged normally to retain said shank in generally retracted position Within said compartment but to yield under a pull applied to said buckle, a stop-member of metal or the like fastened within said compartment generally adjacent the outer end thereof and constructed and arranged to cooperate with said stop-shoulder so as to limit the outward movement of said shank, said stop-member comprising a transversely-extending plate disposed in juxtaposition to ysaid shank and having a pair of integrallyformed ears overlying the lateral edges of said shank and limiting said shank to sliding in-andout movement relative to said stop-member and said slot, said stop-member having an abutment portion disposed in alignment with the stop-shoulder and means constructed and a1'- ranged to fasten said stop-member adjacent the outer end of said compartment.

1l. A resilient and expansible garment supporter or the like comprising a exible belt having a generally enclosed longitudinal compartment including a pair of juxtaposed panels at one end of said belt, said compartment having a slot formed in the outer end thereof, a connector member having a thin at shank extending through said slot, a stop-shoulder formed at the inner end of said shank, said stopshoulder having a larger front-to-rear dimension than the remainder of said shank, a buckle pivotally mounted at the outer end of said connector member, a helical spring connected at one end to the inner end of said shank and secured at the other end adjacent the inner end of said compartment, said spring being constructed and arranged normally to retain said shank in generally retracted position within said compartment but to yield under a pull applied to said buckle, a stop-member of metal or the like fastened Within said compartment generally adja cent the outer end thereof and constructed and arranged to cooperate with said stop-shoulder so as to limit the outward movement of said shank, said stop-member comprising a transversely-extending plate disposed in juxtaposition to said shank and having a pair of integrally-formed ears overlying the lateral edges of said shank and limiting said shank to sliding in-and-out movement relative to said stop member and said slot, said stop-member having an abutment portion disposed in alignment with the stop-shoulder, and a pair of rivets passing through said stop-member adjacent the end-s thereof and permanently connecting it to one of the panels of said compartment.

12. A resilient and expansible garment supporter or the like comprising a flexible belt having a generally enclosed longitudinal compartment including a pair of juxtaposed panels at one end of said belt, said compartment having a `slot formed in the outer end thereof, a connector member having a thin flat shank extending through said slot, a stop-shoulder formed at the inner end of said shank, said stop-shoulder having a larger front-to-rear dimension than the remainder of said shank, a buckle pivotally mounted at the outer end of said connector member, a helical spring connected at one end to the inner end of said shank and secured at the other end adjacent the inner end of said compartment, said spring being constructed and arranged normally to retain said shank in generally retracted position Within said compartment but to yield under a pull applied to said buckle, a stop-member of metal or the like fastened Within said compartment generally adjacent the outer end thereof and constructed and arranged to cooperate with said stop-shoulder so as to limit the outward movement of said shank, said stop-member comprising a transversely-extending plate disposed in juxtaposition to said shank and having a pair of integrally-formed ears overlying the lateral edges of said shank and limiting said shank to sliding in-and-out movement relative to said stop member and said slot, said stop-member having an abutment portion disposed in alignment With the stop-shoulder, and a bent locking-nose formed at the outer edge of said stop-member and constructed and arranged to protrude through said slot in interengaging relationship with the edge of one of said panels of the belt compartment so as to prevent inward movement of said stop-member.

13. A resilient and expansible garment supporter or the like comprising a flexible belt having a generally enclosed longitudinal compartment including a pair oi juxtaposed panels at one end of said belt, said compartment having a slot formed in the outer end thereof, a connector member having a thin iiat shank extending through said slot, a stop-shoulder formed at the inner end of said shank, said stop-shoulder having a larger front-to-rear dimension than the remainder oi said shank, a buckle pivotally mounted at the outer end of said connector member, a helical spring connected at one end to the inner end of said shank and secured at the other end adjacent the inner end of said cornpartment, said spring being constructed and a1'- ranged normally to retain said shank in generally retracted position within said compartment but to yield under a pull applied to said buckle, a stop-member of metal or the like fastened within said compartment generally adjacent the outer end thereof and constructed and arranged to cooperate with said stop-shoulder so as to limit the outward movement of said shank, said stop-member comprising a transversely-extending plate disposed in juxtaposition to said shank and having a pair of integrallyformed ears overlying the lateral edges of said shank and limiting said shank to sliding in-andout movement relative to said stop member and said slot, said stop-member having an abutment portion disposed in alignment with the stop-shoulder, and a plurality of locking teeth integrally struck out of said stop member adjacent the ends thereof and constructed and arranged to engage with at least one of the panels of said compartment so as to maintain said stopmember closely adjacent the outer end.

LLOYD H. EASLICK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 280,859 Potter July 10, 1883 623,362 Gaisman Apr. 18, 1899 1,367,481 Jansen Feb. 1, 1921 2,163,811 Richtmyer June 27, 1939 2,400,844 Segal May 21, 1946 2,415,254 Lutz et al Feb. 4, 1947 

